The Finnish Air Force will conduct major training exercises next week, forcing the complete closure of Highway 72 between Mikkeli and Pieksämäki. The strategic route through Eastern Finland's countryside will shut down from Sunday morning through Friday afternoon to accommodate military aircraft operations at the Hiirola emergency landing strip.
Road closures begin Sunday at 10:00 AM and continue through Friday at 12:00 PM. Military flight operations will run from Monday morning through Thursday evening. This temporary highway shutdown affects one of the main transportation corridors connecting several municipalities in the South Savonia region.
Bus services face significant rerouting during the closure period. Regular Mikkeli–Haukivuori–Pieksämäki buses will follow normal routes but bypass the exercise area via Karppalantie road. Passengers cannot board or disembark along this detour route since Karppalantie requires special movement permits during military exercises.
Rural school bus routes serving Mikkeli–Rämälä–Vehmaskylä–Hiirola–Kalvitsa–Mikkeli will redirect through Hiirola, Alamaantie, and Vehmaskyläntie roads. Rescue authorities specifically warn drivers to avoid using Alamaantie as an alternative route, describing it as extremely narrow, winding, and hilly.
Local residents and travelers must use designated Hiirola or Rämäläntie bus stops during the highway closure. Temporary speed restrictions will be implemented around Rämälä school near Vehmaskyläntie throughout the exercise week. Private Vääräläntie road will also feature no-stopping restrictions.
This type of military exercise reflects Finland's ongoing commitment to maintaining operational readiness following its NATO accession. The country regularly conducts realistic training scenarios across its territory, occasionally requiring temporary infrastructure closures. Such exercises demonstrate how Finland balances civilian needs with national security requirements in peacetime.
For international readers, this highway closure exemplifies Finland's practical approach to military-civilian coordination. The detailed, advance public notification system shows typical Finnish efficiency in managing temporary disruptions. Road users should plan alternative routes and expect longer travel times between Mikkeli and Pieksämäki throughout the week.
The Finnish Air Force frequently uses remote landing strips like Hiirola for training purposes, ensuring pilots can operate from various locations during emergencies. These exercises maintain Finland's capability to defend its extensive territory, particularly important given the country's long border with Russia.